The dailies also reported that former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua's allies have been ousted from key Senate committees, with the positions being dangled to members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

President William Ruto summoned the National Assembly leadership to State House after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula declared Kenya Kwanza Alliance the majority coalition in the August House.

Wetang'ula's decision left Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Party members baying for his blood, vowing to 'teach him a lesson'.

Opposition MPs threatened to impeach the Speaker after he failed to adhere to the court's ruling that they were the majority side.

However, a source intimated that State House made calls to several MPs to stop Wetang'ula from being kicked out.

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed did not honour Ruto's summons to the house on the hill, frustrating the president's efforts.

"The leadership had been summoned to State House but some members from the opposition did not avail themselves," the source revealed.

Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua's allies have been removed from Senate committees and leadership positions.

The radical purge is also set to move to the National Assembly.

Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance wing has offered five chairship positions to the ODM Party.

Those affected include Karungo Thang'wa (Kiambu), James Murango (Kirinyaga), John Methi (Nyandarua), Joe Nyutu (Murang'a) and Lenku Seki (Kajiado).

The president's fierce critics, including Kisii's Richard Onyoka and Busia's Okiya Omtatah, were also removed from powerful committees.

The outcome of the African Union (AU) Commission chairship elections will shape political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Former prime minister Raila Odinga is among the top contenders for the race.

For Ruto, victory for Raila would be a welcome boost as he hopes to inherit his vote-rich regions nationwide.

However, if the opposition supremo loses, analysts project that he could face Ruto again in the 2027 polls.

"If he loses, he will remain politically active in Kenya, with a possible showdown with Ruto in 2027," political analyst Javas Bigambo said.

Ruto is believed to have lost Mt Kenya support following Gachagua's impeachment as deputy president.

Parents with Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates could be forced to dig deeper into their pockets to register their children for the national exam.

Since 2016, the government has been paying full KSh 7,200 registration fees for KCSE candidates.

This was after former Education CS Fred Matiang'i waived the fees to ensure no student misses out.

Parliament is considering scrapping the waiver and has proposed a cost-sharing model.

Under the new model, parents will be required to contribute a portion, saving the government KSh 5.5 billion annually.

Raila's AUC campaign team is confident that he will secure the seat despite facing a big setback on Thursday, February 13.

Raila's bid for the AUC chairship was dealt a big blow after the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with 16 member states, endorsed Madagascar's Richard Randriamandrato.

For a long time, Raila and Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf have been viewed as favourites to clinch the seat, but SADC's last-minute decision could tilt the contest.

Foreign Affairs PS Korir Singo'ei, who leads Raila's team, assured their supporters of victory.

Source: TUKO.co.ke